Non-ferromagnetic overburden casing

Abstract

Systems, methods, and heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. At least one system for electrically insulating an overburden portion of a heater wellbore is described. The system may include a heater wellbore located in a subsurface formation and an electrically insulating casing located in the overburden portion of the heater wellbore. The casing may include at least one non-ferromagnetic material such that ferromagnetic effects are inhibited in the casing.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 60 / 794,298 entitled “SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES FOR USE IN TREATING SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS” to Vinegar et al. filed on Apr. 21, 2006, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety; and to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 60 / 853,096 entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND PROCESSES FOR USE IN TREATING SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS” to Vinegar et al. filed on Oct. 20, 2006, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. RELATED PATENTS [0002] This patent application incorporates by reference in its entirety each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,688,387 to Wellington et al.; 6,991,036 to Sumnu-Dindoruk et al.; 6,698,515 to Karanikas et al.; 6,880,633 to Wellington et al.; 6,782,947 to de Rouffignac et al; 6,991,045 to Vinegar et al.; 7,073,578 to Vinegar et al.; and 7,121,342 to Vinegar et al. This patent application incorporates by reference in its entirety U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005-0269313 to Vinegar et al....

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Obtaining permeability in an oil shale formation between injection and production wells tends to be difficult because oil shale is often substantially impermeable.

Many of these methods, however, have relatively high operating costs and lack sufficient injection capacity.

Mining and upgrading tar sand is usually substantially more expensive than producing lighter hydrocarbons from conventional oil reservoirs.

At present, however, there are still many hydrocarbon containing formations from which hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and / or other products cannot be economically produced.

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